Brussels S Train
This article needs to be updated.(June 2018) |
Brussels S Train | |||
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standard gauge | |||
Electrification | Overhead line, 3,000 V DC | ||
Top speed | 160 km/h (99 mph) | ||
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The Brussels S Train, also known as the Brussels Regional Express Network (
Most jobs in the Brussels-Capital Region are filled by workers from other regions. Private vehicles clog the city daily, hampering mobility and creating pollution. The RER/GEN is a response to these growing problems. Only 20% of commuters use public transport daily[when?]; the goal is to double this figure by facilitating movement into and within the region.[citation needed]
Total costs for the GEN/RER project will be at least €2.173bn.[2] The initially planned nine lines[3] have since increased to 12; but the projected frequency of "a departure at least every 15 minutes"[4] has not been implemented as of early 2018: most services run once per hour, a few twice per hour.
The scope includes widening existing railway lines from double to quadruple; a few additions like the Schuman-Josaphat tunnel; the creation or re-activation of stations just outside Brussels' city centre (Germoir/Mouterij and Arcades/Arcaden on the south-east, Brussels-West and Tour et Taxis/Thurn en Taxis on the west); and the acquisition of new rolling stock.
History
A first draft of the RER/GEN network was published in 1995. The commissioning of the first lines was then planned for 2002.
Construction requires the approval and funding from the
Infrastructure
Railway lines within a 30 km (19 mi) radius of Brussels are included in the project.[6] Parts of the project are already in place. The most substantial works relate to the quad-tracking of several lines: two tracks for GEN/RER trains, and two tracks for intercity and high-speed trains.[7]
The RER/GEN project includes a 1.25 km (0.78 mi) double-tracked Schuman-Josaphat tunnel in the north-east of the region. This links the European Quarter to Brussels Airport, cutting to 13 minutes journey times between the two.[4]
Most of the network uses existing rail lines. Increased frequencies and passengers, however, requires other significant infrastructure projects, in addition to the Schuman-Josaphat tunnel:
- Quad-tracking of sections in order to segregate local and regional traffic from faster inter-city trains
- Demolition and reconstruction of several bridges that cross the wider track
- Construction of additional breakpoints
- Installation of noise barriers
- Redevelopment of 28 existing stations in Brussels
- Creation of transfer points
- Construction of park-and-ride lots
Rolling stock
As of 2020, most services are operated by either new Siemens Desiro or refurbished MS86 "Sprinter", both electric multiple units.
Network
Line | Route | Stops | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
S1 | Antwerp–Mechelen–Brussels NSC–Nivelles | 31 | 2x/h |
S2 | Braine-le-Comte–Brussels NSC–Leuven | 22 | 2x/h |
S3 | Zottegem–Brussels NSC–Dendermonde | 25 | 1x/h |
S4 | Aalst-Etterbeek-Merode-Vilvoorde | 26 | Peak |
S5 | Geraardsbergen-Schuman-Josaphat tunnel-Mechelen | 25 | 2x/h (Halle-Mechelen) 1/h (Geraardsbergen-Halle) |
S6 | Schaarbeek-NSC-Geraardsbergen-Denderleeuw | 21 | 1x/h |
S7 | Halle-Merode-Mechelen via Hofstade | 18 | 1x/h |
S8 | Louvain-la-Neuve-NSC-Brussels-South | 16 | 1x/h |
S81 | Ottignies-Schaarbeek | 10 | 1x/h |
S9 | Braine-l'Alleud-Schuman-Josaphat tunnel-Leuven | 19 | 1xh Peak |
S10 | Aalst-NSC-Brussels West-Dendermonde | 28 | 1x/h |
S19 | Charleroi-Schuman-Josaphat tunnel-Brussels Airport | 20 | 1x/h (weekdays) |
Nivelles-Schuman-Josaphat tunnel-Brussels Airport-Leuven | 15 | 1x/h (weekends) | |
S20 | Ottignies-Leuven | 13 | 2x/h |
S20 connects Leuven (S2/S9) and Ottignies (S8/S81) without passing through Brussels Capital Region.
See also
- Trams in Brussels
- Brussels Metro
- Transport in Brussels
- List of commuter rail systems
External links
- The Regional Express Network, Infrabel
- SNCB (in French) [4] NMBS (in Dutch) [5] SNCB/NMBS (in English)Train.aspx
- Siemens information on Desiro ML trains.[6]
References
- ^ (in English) http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/brusselsrer/specs.html
- ^ (in French) [1]
- ^ (in French) http://www.b-rail.be/corp-r/F/projects/project_rer/lines/index.php
- ^ a b c (in English) http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/brusselsrer/
- ^ (in French) http://www.lalibre.be/actu/brabant/article/480429/le-rer-en-2017.html
- ^ (in French) http://www.lalibre.be/economie/actualite/article/338350/pas-de-rer-a-brussels-before-2016.html
- ^ (in English) [2]
- ^ (in English) [3]
- ^ "Desiro ML - Mobility - Siemens". www.mobility.siemens.com. Retrieved 2015-10-11.